Review Summary: This small time indie band shows flairs of good instrumental work, but the album is dragged by a less than inspiring set of vocals and over emphasis on effects at mixing. The good tracks are legitimately good and the rest stand in a contrasted blandness
I saw Hurricane Bells for the first time about two months ago and was impressed by their sound. Their drumming was taut, their guitar work clean, and the vocals came out pure and with feeling. So I forked over the money and bought the album.
It's not really the same thing. As much as I wanted to like the album, I found myself stuck in an infinite loop of "this again..." almost every time a new track started.
1. This Year:
The album starts with a slow, minimalist tune. Guitar work, limited percussion, high backing for the main vocals, building up in a standard indie increase in complexity. It's an OK opening for an album.
2. This is a Test:
The bass begins to show up, but it's not especially spectacular. The high harmony remains.
3. I Can't Remember:
I wish I couldn't remember this song. Skip it and do not get it stuck in your head. The entirety of the vocals are on echo/reverb and then there is a "la-la-la-la" which repeats through the entire song (chorus, verses, bridge, all of it) and is horribly annoying. The effects are cool, but they're used like it's a George Lucas film.
4. Shooting Star:
This is the song that got me to buy the album. It sounds good even on this CD. The song has movements, it doesn't take a sound and stick to it for 3 minutes. It moves your ears a bit, plays with your heart. If you want a feel good song, this is the best one and one of the few on this album which will make my "I like that song" list.
5. Darkness is so Deep.
The instrumental work on this track is good and can be heard. The track is as not overproduced as I Can't Remember. The drumming is very good.
6. Crocodile:
Pure instrumental, short interlude. They sound better without the lead singer singing (sorry, mate.) The guitar work gets complex-ish as he can focus on not singing.
7. Freezing Rain:
Ok song, there is a lack of range to the vocals. The verse structure seems to limit their willingness to take musical risks. Verse 1 sounds like verse 2 except with different words. Compare that to #4 and #6 where they were willing to show variances.
8. Winters in New York:
A passable track. See #1, #2, #3, #7.
9. The Cold Has Killed Us:
Long, slow, and drawn out. See #1, #2, #3, #7, & #8.
10. Tenterhooks:
Good up front instrumental work. I actually got a grove on from it. It's a solid example of what these guys have in terms of potential.
Hurricane Bells can develop this with better vocals and less inexpert post-production. Their instrumental work gels, their vocals detract from the work generally.
